Bio:

I believe stories help us examine and shape the world we live in. Stories give us hopeful answers and insights to questions no one person can answer on their own -- stories help us share our lives. This is what I love about being a writer.

www.jerdinenolen.com

Jerdine Nolen was born in Crystal Springs, Mississippi, and raised in Chicago, Illinois, along with five sisters and two brothers. "I can't remember a time when I wasn't writing and collecting words. My mother encouraged me to do that. She was eager to hear my new list of favorites. Cucumber was a word I preferred above all the others. Then, one day, I became smitten with chutney. 'Chutney, chutney, chut-ney.' I would chant that one over and over again.

"Writing is fun work. It takes patience to get the right story. Once you have the story idea, it is important to revise/revisit the work to make it the best that it could be. It is like sculpting or wiring the pieces together in a way so the words on the page have enough life -- they could stand up and walk around all on their own. That is why my motto is, Hold fast to your dreams as you would your balloons!

Jerdine Nolen is the author of HARVEY POTTER'S BALLOON FARM, illustrated by Mark Buehner, which was an ALA Notable Book and an IRA-CBC Children's Choice, RAISING DRAGONS, illustrated by Elise Primavera, which was a SHOW ME READERS Award winner and received the Christopher Award, and THUNDER ROSE, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, a Coretta Scott King award winner for illustration. Ms. Nolen's PLANTZILLA, illustrated by David Catrow, was recently named a BOOKSENSE 76 Selection. Her most recent book is HEWITT ANDERSON'S GREAT BIG LIFE, illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Ms. Nolen. a former elementary school teacher, lives with her family in Ellicott City, Maryland.

Writer
PAL
Member since 1986
Region: Maryland/Delaware/West Virginia

Contact Information

Website:  http://www.jerdinenolen.com

Published In Children's Market: Yes
Available for Speaking Engagements? Yes